“To retrieve the medicus!”

“There is no need still yourself!” Daiya turned to face her defiantly noticing it immediately further words were needed to calm her.

“Come and sit, “When Daiya didn’t move she spoke in a more forceful tone, “Despite ill feelings towards me I am still queen and your mother do not defy command within the walls I own!” She yells causing her to cough violently again. Rushing towards her side once again it was Daiya this time who held a fresh cloth to her mouth. Once her mother came to she removed it only to discover it too was soaked with her blood, she had enough.

“I demand answer!”

“When first discovered I arranged Dana to be married you questioned reason and sudden urgency.”

“Yes, of course you knew her heart laid with Lara as mine lays with Auscha knowing this you still forced her to marry another! You spoke of Lara never being worthy of Danas heart a few days past and the woman she’s promised to marry appears here in our home…to what purpose!?”

“I am dying.” She says in a serious tone looking her in the eye for the first time since she arrived. Slowly, Daiya felt the wind release from her body.

“Apologies I do not believe I heard words spoken correctly.”

“You heard correctly.”

“Dying—I—I—fail to understand!? How can this be!? How long have you known!?”

“I’ve known for some time my body is plagued by the same disease that stilled the lives of both sister and mother.”

“You seek attention to treat illness!?”

“I am not.”

“You choose to die!?”

“You see it as a choice I see it as accepting fate to be so.”

“I never saw you as loving mother but no one deserves blood to spill from mouth why not see Dana and I informed sooner!?” Her mother gazed longingly into her eyes and that’s when she finally understood the reason behind her peculiar motives and behavior.

“Knowing of failed health you arranged Dana to marry Princes Niala of Pyrus to ensure secured bond was forged with a family who would see us both provided for—-a forced marriage of convenience.”

“I am many things Daiya but to interfere with matters of the heart where love is given and returned even I am not that foolish, to feel unworthy of any love a lesson learned early on as a child. To give answer to question, yes I’ve known the flame of life would soon expire, before the release of last breath I had to see to it both you and Dana were cared for. My motives never foresaw Danas attempt on own life the mistake was mine now I seek only to amend my wrong.”